Mechanism for operating on sheet materials



C. M. YODER IECHAHISH FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 17, 1939. c. M. Y ODER I MECHANISM FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 W wh mm m@ R, 3 K. 1. I Q I E W .r, v i i f. o

@mw; ATTORNEY Cd. .17, 1939. c M YODER 2,176,115

macxumxsm FOR OPERATING on SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 C. M. YODER macmlsm FOR omnu'me on SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 FINN "NH Oct. 17, 193-9.

ATTORNEY 0d. 17, 1939. c YODER 2,176,115

MECHANISM FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Cmw. M. YODER. BY v {7 And-a ATTORNEY 01.17,1939. Q M YQDER 2,176,115

MECHANISM FOR OPERATING 0N SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 9 Sheets-$heet 6 yaw-ax: zz w- 6 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1939.

c. M. YODER MECHANISM FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 B) flu 1min; WMME,

Oct. 17, 1939. c. M. YODER 5 MECHANISM FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 E T E HWWI I}. I.

E :2 I: f g Q I n L m I N M f l I I 2 1 I I r I l I N I g: I \Q I INVENTOR Cfl/HM Yovsr. BY ILL/mm:

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MECHANISM FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALS 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine having one or more sets of rolls for engaging with metal stock to deform portions thereof or shape it into desired cross sectional contours. The sets of rolls may be arranged in side by side relation or in alinement, or in both side by side and alined relation, depending upon the intended operations. In the machine herein illustrated the sets of rolls are adapted to shape metal stock and are mounted and. arranged to form a plurality of roll passes, each of which may comprise one or more sets of shaping rolls and the number of passes may vary dependent upon the thickness, width and length of the stock and the final 1 shape to be effected or produced, as well as the quality and character of the metal constitutmg the stock. Furthermore, the stock may be supplied in sections successively or as a piece of material of indefinite length.

2 One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of this character wherein a. set of rolls in each pass may be readily adjusted transversely or mounted in any desired position relative to the feed of the material.

Another object of the invention is to provide,

in a machine of this character, when employing two sets of rolls in each pass, means for adjusting either or both said sets of rolls transversely of the feed of the stock. I

Another object of the invention is to provide in a machine of this character improved means for adjusting the related sets of rolls of two or more passes simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a machine of this character improved mounting, supporting and adjusting means for the roll supporting shafts for each pass, whereby the rolls may be readily adjusted or differently shaped rolls substituted.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention, of a type incorporating two sets of rolls. for each pass, the rolls being omitted from the roll shafts.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; this view showing two sets of rolls and making a pass on a section of sheet metal.

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary section on the line 3a.--3a 0i Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a dif ferent embodiment of" the invention wherein relatively large shaping rolls are employed.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line l1 of Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. '7, but showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Fig. 9' is a view substantially similar to Fig. 7, but showing a different form of construction.

In the drawings (referring to Figs. 1 to 4), I indicates as an entirety a suitable support forming a bed i on which the sets of rolls are mounted, as hereinafter set forth. At its front end, the support is provided with a bracket 2 having a topwall 3 on which guide strips 4 are mounted to form a feed table for the material, the outer strips having side walls 4' which insure the rectilinear feed or supply of the material to the first pass.

As the mountings of the roll shafts and mountings for the rolls thereon for all of the passes are similar, the mountings for one pass only will be described, reference being made particularly to Fig. 3. In this View, 5 indicates the standard for the corresponding ends. of upper and lower roll supporting shafts 6, 7, and 8 indicates the standard for the opposite ends of the shafts. The standard 5 is formed with an opening 5' through which the lower shaft 1 and a sleeve 9 thereon extend, suitable anti-friction bearings (preferably of the taper roller type) I0 being provided in the opening to rotatably support the sleeve 9 and the shaft 1. The inner end of the sleeve 9 is enlarged to close the inner end of the bearings I0 and also to form a seat H for a shaping roll 12 which may be removably clamped between the seat and a. collar 13 by a nut l4 having threaded engagement with the inner end of the sleeve 9; the roller I2 being fixed to the sleeve by a key I5 or other device so as to be rotated thereby. The shaft I is formed with a key-way I to receive a key [6 fixed to the sleeve 9, whereby the latter is driven by the shaft. The outer end of the bearings I0 is also closed by a cap Ill suitably bolted to the standard 5 (see Figs. 2 and 3a). Above the upper wall 5x of the opening 5 the standard 5 is formed with a way I! to adjustably receive and support a bearing box 18 having bearings Illa: (similar to the bearings ID) in which the ad- J'ac'ent end of the shaft 6 and a sleeve 9' are mounted. The bearings 10x, shaft 6 and sleeves 9 are similar in construction and arrangement to corresponding parts already described, a shaping roll l2 being mounted on and connected to the sleeve 9' similarly to the roll l2 and related to the latter to act on or shape the material A.

The bearing box It is supported on the wall So; by spacing means l9, preferably consisting of two coiled springs (see Fig. 2) and held against the latter by a screw 29 threaded through an opening formed in a bar 2| bridging the way I? and secured to the upper end of the standard.

As will be understood, the rolls l2, l2, of the several sets of rolls may be variously shaped depending upon the desired shape to be imparted to the material A. The alined sets of rolls l2, l2, as well as the alined sets of rolls for the opposite side of the material A, are omitted from Fig. 1 as not being necessary to an understandin of the present invention.

The standard 8 preferably consists of two spaced uprights 8a integral with a base portion 8b. The uprights 8a are formed with alined openings 8 for suitable anti-friction bearings (preferably tapered rollers) 22, in which the opposite end of the shaft i is mounted. The bearings 22 in the uprights 8a are spaced by a tubular member 8a. The corresponding end of the shaft 6 is mounted in anti-friction bearings in a manner similar to the shaft 1 in a bearing box 23, which adjustably fits alined ways 2'2 formed in the upper portions of the uprights 8a. The inner end of the bearing box 23 is mounted on a spring 25 in the desired spaced relation to the wall 8a: and held thereagainst by a screw 25, which is supported in a bridge member 21 at the upper end of the adjacent upright 8a. The outer end of the box 23 is preferably adjustably supported by two screws 28 extending through a bridge member 29 at the upper end of the adjacent upright 8a and threaded into the wall of the box, a screw 3E3 also threaded through the bridge member 29 and tightened against the box serving to clamp the latter in rigid position. The space between the outer end of the bearing box 23 and adjacent wall 82: is closed by a pad of suitable absorbent material 3! to serve as an oil seal. Where the nature of the operation on the stock requires two sets of rolls for one or more passes, the second set of rolls [2a, [211, may be secured in position on the shafts 6, 1, against collars 3i by nuts 32. Where the material is not to be shaped along the edge portion adjacent either the standards 5 or standards 8, the rolls 12, I2 or l2a, l2a, may be of a shape to act as feed rolls for the material. Where the material is liable to sag and become distorted intermediate its side edges, I provide one or more pairs of guide rolls 33 adjustably secured to the shafts 6, i, by set screws 33'. Each roll 33 may be formed in sections to facilitate its assembly on the adjacent shaft. The key-ways l in the shafts 6, I, extend from the ends thereof adjacent the standard 5 inwardly, preferably to the threaded portions for the nuts 32, so that the standard 5, sleeves 9-, 9, and their bearings H3, 193:, may be adjusted or moved relative to the shafts, as hereinafter set forth, any desired d stance while maintaining driving connection with the latter.

The standards 5 and 8 are mounted for adjustment on the bed I transversely to the feed of the material, so as to move either or both of the sets of shaping rolls into any desired position, dependent upon the portion of the material that is to be shaped or the width of the material where the shaping is to be effected along either or both side edges thereof. In the form of construction now being referred to, I provide for the adjustment of all the standards 5 and a separate adjustment for all of the standards 8, which permits either series or sets of rolls to be positioned in the desired relation to either or both side edges of the material. In this arrangement, the standards 5 are suitably fixed by screws 34 to a bar 34 extending longitudinally of the bed I and the bar is bodily ad justable thereon, the bed I being provided with guides 35 to receive guide blocks or ribs 38 provided on the lower side of the bar 34. I provide a plurality of guides 35 and blocks 35, each of the latter being formed with an opening 31 in which is fixedly mounted a nut 38 to receive a feed screw 39. The outer end portion of each screw 39 is provided with a collar 48 which has bearing in a recess 4i formed in a bracket :32, suitably secured to the support i, the collar being held in the adjacent recess by an annular member 63. The inner Wall of the recess and member 13 prevent endwise movement of the adjacent screw 39, when it is rotated, whereby the screw is effective through the adjacent nut 38 to move the bar 34. The outer end of each feed screw 39 has fixed to it a bevel gear M, which meshes with a bevel gear 55 fixed to a shaft 46 extending alongside the support I and mounted in suitable bearings provided on the brackets 52. The shaft 46 is provided at one end with a device, such as a handwheel 47, for turning it, whereby the bar 34 through the screws and nuts therefor may be moved inwardly or outwardly. By preference, the standards 8 are mounted on a bar 343: which is adjustably mounted and adjusted in the manner above set forth with respect to the bar 34.

Due to the fact that shafts 6, l, for each roll pass are driven, as later set forth, by a motor 68, the latter is adjustable on the bed i with the adjacent bar 323:. For this purpose, the motor 48 is fixed to a shelf 49 which is provided with a flange 58 arranged to be secured on the bar 34$ for movement therewith by bolts 5!. The bolts 5! extend through openings formed in the flange 5i] and threaded into openings formed in the bar 34w. At one or more points along each bar 3 3M, certain of the standards 5, 8, are formed with openings 53 (one being shown in Fig. 3d), each of which registers with an opening 54 formed in the adjacent adjustable bar and a slot formed in the bed I, each of these openings and the adjacent slot being arranged to receive a bolt 55, whereby by means of a nut 56, the adjacent standard, bar and bed i may be clamped between the nut and head of the bolt to maintain these parts in fixed relation.

The driving means for the shafts 6, i, for each pass may be of any desired construction, but by preference the shafts for each pass are provided on their ends outwardly of the standard 8 with suitable gears 5'! in mesh and one shaft (preferably the lower shaft 1) is extended and carries a worm gear 58 which meshes with a worm 59 on a shaft 59', the latter being connected to the shaft of the motor 48 in any desired manner. As will be understood from Fig. 1, the shaft 59' is common to and drives the roll shafts 6, l, for all of the passes.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that all of the standards 5 or all of the standards 8 may be adjusted transversely of the feed of the stock A on the bed I or both may be adjusted as desired, and when either one or both of such adjustments are made, each shaft 6, l, and its sleeve 9 or 9, move relative to each other, with- (git affecting the driving connection between t cm.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of construction wherein the standards 8" are fixed to the bed I, the shafts 6, I, are mounted therein similarly to the mountings between them and the standards 8, as already described and the adjacent set of rolls l2a, IZa', for each pass are removably mounted on seats provided on sleeves 9", which in turn are rotatably supported in bearings carried by standards The standards 5" are fixed to a bar 34" which is adjustably mounted on the bed I similarly to the standards 5 and the sleeves 9" are slidable endwise of and drivingly connected to the shafts B, l, in the same manner as already described.

In this form of construction the shafts are mounted at one end in bearings supported in fixed standards, whereas both sets of rolls are mounted in standards which may be adjusted transversely of the bed to move the roll sets, either or both, relative to their supporting shafts.

In either form of construction the standards at both sides of the bed I or I may be adjusted simultaneously. This latter form of construction is illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein a single feed screw 39" is provided with right and left hand threads, which engage nuts mounted in the bars 34' and 3 as already set forth, so that when the shaft 46 is rotated all of the standards 5, 5", will be adjusted toward or from each other. The outer end of the feed screw 39" is preferably supported in a suitable bearing 60. By providing in Fig. 4, separate feed screws, as shown in Fig. 3, instead of a single screw having right and left hand threads, the bars 34, 34" may be independently adjusted.

The adjustment of the standards at one or both sides of the support is advantageous when it is found desirable to remove the roll shafts and rolls thereon and to substitute therefor rolls of a different shape or disposed in a different position transversely of the feed of the material, more especially where the weight of the roll shafts and rolls make it desirable to handle these parts by an overhead crane or other lifting and transporting mechanism. In this arrangement the roll shafts are sectional and the rolls are mounted on the removable sections of the shafts, so that the removal and replacement or substitution are effected without the disassembly of the bearings and the shaft sections mounted therein.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, 6| indicates a plurality of bases each supporting a pair of spaced standards 62, 63, and also, by preference, a gear box 54 housing suitable mechanism for driving upper and lower shafts 65, 65. Each standard 62 is slidably mounted on theadjacent base 6! and is provided on its lower end with a shoe 66 which engages guides 61 provided on the base 6| by forming an elongated opening in the top wall thereof. The upper portions of the standards 62, 63, are formed with ways 68 in which are suitably mounted pairs of bearing boxes 69 having suitable anti-friction bearings 69 for the upper and lower roll shafts i0, 19 driven through universal joints H, by the shafts 65, 65, respectively. Each shoe 66 is provided with a nut 12 through which is threaded a screw 13. The ends of the screw '13 are suitably supported in bearings M, 14', provided on the adjacent base 6|, the inner end of the screw being provided with a collar 15 held in position by a nut 15 and engaging the outer end of the bearing 14 to prevent endwise movement of the screw outwardly. The outer end of the screw 13 has fixed to it a wheel or other turning device 16, which engages the outer end of the bearing 14 to prevent endwise movement of the screw inwardly. The wheel 16 is formed in its periphery with a plurality of openings 16 adapted to receive a bar or rod (not shown) whereby it may be turned to rotate the screw 13 and thus effect adjustment of the adjacent standard 62 to an abnormal position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. '7. Each of the roll shafts l0, F0, for each pass consists of a cen-.

tral section 1'! and end sections 18, 19, the latter sections being mounted in the bearing 69 and the central section I! carrying the shaping roll 88, which is connected to the shaft section by a key engaging a spline or key-way 8|, between removable spacing collars 82, 83, the latter engaging a collar 83 fixed to the shaft section at one end and the former being engaged by a nut 82' threaded on the shaft section and arranged to clamp the collars 82, 83 and roll in fixed relation against the collar 83. However, it will be obvious that each roll and the central shaft section may be formed integral so that the end shaft sections will drivingly engage the ends or hubs of the roll to support and drive it.

The shaft sections I1, 18, 19, are connected together whereby they rotate as a unit in the adjacent bearings 69'. These connections preferably comprise male and female elements; for example, in Figs. 7 and 8 the inner ends of the sections 18, 19, are provided with conical projections fitting into conical recesses in the opposite ends of the shaft section 11 and by means of a key and key-way 84 between adjacent elements they are drivingly connected; whereas in Fig. 9 these elements are of cylindrical shape and drivingly connected by keys 84'.

To remove the roll carrying shaft sections 1! of each pass, a device suspended .by a cable and carrying spaced pairs of hooks is first lowered, and the hooks thereon are engaged under the opposite end portions of both central shaft sections. and then the device is raised into engagement therewith. The standard 62 is then moved or adjusted to an abnormal position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, and thereafter the suspended device is raised carrying with it both shaft sections (one being shown in dotted lines in raised position in Fig. 7) If desired cables may be looped around the shaft sections for holding and raising them.

The driving mechanisms in the gear boxes 64 are preferably driven by a shaft 64a connected to a motor 641).

Fig. 8 shows a different form of construction in which both standards on each base 6| are adjustable, each standard 63 being mounted to slide similarly to the standard 62. In this form of construction, a single screw 13a having right and left hand threads may be provided to engage the nuts carried by the standards on each base and adjust the standards toward and from each other simultaneously. In this arrangement each of the driven shafts 65, 65, consists of a pair of keyed-together telescoping sections 65a, 65b, to permit of the adjustment of the adjacent standard 63; the section 65a. being provided with a ring 65m to prevent separation of the elements of the universal joint 6550 when the standard 63 is adjusted transversely.

Fig. 9 illustrates a different form of construction in which the standards are fixedly mounted on each base, but in which that end shaft section of eachroll shaft remote from the shaft driving rncans is slidable endwise in its bearings. In these views 85, 85, indicate the roll shafts having bearings in boxes 85, 86, which are mounted in standards 81, the latter being fixed to a bed or base (not shown). Each shaft 85 consists of a central section 81, an inner end section 88 rotatably mounted in anti-friction bearings in the adjacent bearing box 8% and driven through a universal joint 89 by the adjacent drive shaft 89 an outer end section 38 slidably and rotatably mounted in the adjacent bearing box 88'. By preference, the anti-friction bearings 99a in each box are fixed therein against movement endwise of the adjacent shaft and the shaft section slides relative to its bearings. The outer end section 98 for the lower roll carrying shaft 85 is shown in normal or assembled. connected relation to the central section 87, whereas for purpose of illus ration the corresponding end section 9'1": for the upper shaft 85 is shown moved to its abnormal or extended position and the adjacent central section Bl is shown disconnected from the inner end section 88, but in practice both shaft sections 8'! are engaged and supported prior to the adjustment of the end sections 98. Each shaft section $3 is held in its normal or assembled position and moved to and from its abnormal position by a movable abutment 9i connected to the outer end of the shaft section. The abutment 95 consists of a collar mounted on the inner end of a screw 55 arranged in a recess Q2 formed in the outer end of the shaft section, the abutment 9| being disposed between suitable thrust bearings in the recess, whereby the shaft section is free to turn relative to the abutment. The screw 9'! is threaded through a nut 93 rigidly mounted in the bottom portfdn of a U-shaped member 9 the legs of which are rigidly secured to the adjacent bearing box M. The outer end of the screw 9! is provided with a wheel 95 or other device by which the screw is rotated to move the shaft seciion into normal position to connect the shaft sections together or to its abnormal position to per mit removal of the central shaft section. When the shaft sections of each shaft are in assembled relation, the screw Si is locked by a jamb nut 9'3. The shaft sections are connected by male and female elements keyed together to effect rotation of the sections as a unitary shaft, as already described.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that where the rolls shafts are sectional, the adjustment of all of the standards at one or both sides of the support therefor or adjustment of the end sections of the shafts, permit differently shaped rolls or rolls located in any predetermined position transversely of the support, to be substituted in a ready manner.

it will be understood that the rolls of each set may be spaced from each. other the desired distance depending upon the deformation or shaping to be effected upon the metal stock; and where the machine is provided with suitable guide means, the sets of rolls may be arranged to operate on a plurality of sections of material simultaneously.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, spaced standards mounted thereon and provided with bearings, one of said standards being fixed to said support, shafts mounted in said bearings, a separate standard disposed inwardly of said fixed standard and mounted on said support for adjustment transversely to the feed of the material, bearings supported in said separate standard, sleeves mounted in the bearings in said separate standard and surrounding said shafts and slidable thereon and drivingly connected thereto, said sleeves being arranged to support a set of rolls, means for driving said shafts, and means for adjusting said separate standard.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, spaced standards, one of said standards being fixed to said support and the other standard being adjustable thereon transversely to the feed of the material, bearings carried by said standards, sleeves mounted in the bearings carried by said adjustable standard and arranged to support a pair of rolls, shafts mounted in the bearings carried by said fixed tandard and slidably and drivingly connected to id sleeves, a separate standard disposed inwardly of said fixed standard and mounted on for adjustment transversely to the f the material, bearings carried by said seps-a' dard, sleeves mounted in the last mentioned 3. rings and surrounding said shafts and slidable thereon and drivingly connected there- ;o, said last mentioned sleeves being arranged to support a pair of rolls, means for driving said shafts, means for adjusting said adjustable standard, and means for adjusting said separate standarc.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, spaced series of standards, bearings carried by said standards, sleeves mount ed in the bearings carried by one series of said standards and arranged to support pairs of rolls. shafts mounted in the bearings carried by the other series of standards and slidably and drivingly connected to said sleeves, a separate series of standards disposed inwardly of the last mentioned series of standards and mounted on said support for adjustment transversely to the feed of the material, bearings carried by said separate series of standards, sleeves mounted in the last mentioned bearings and surrounding said shafts and slidable thereon and drivingly connected thereto, said last mentioned sleeves being arranged to support pairs of rolls, means for driving said shafts, and means for adjusting said separate series of standards.

4. In a machineof the class described, the com bination of a support, spaced series of standards, one of said series being fixed to said support and the other series being adjustable thereon transversely to the feed of the material, bearings carried by said standards, sleeves mounted in the bearings carried by said adjustable standards and arranged to support pairs of rolls, shafts mounted in the bearings carried by said fixed standards and slidably and drivingly connected to said sleeves, a separate series of standards disposed inwardly of said fixed standards and mounted on said support for adjustment transversely to the feed of the material, bearings carried by said separate standards, sleeves mounted in the last mentioned bearings and surrounding said shafts and slidable thereon and drivingly connected thereto, said last mentioned sleeves being arranged to support pairs of rolls, means for driving said shafts, means for adjusting said adjustable series of standards, and means for adjusting said separate series of standards.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a bar mounted on said support for adjustment transversely to the feed of the material, a series of standards fixed to said bar and provided with bearings, sleeves mounted in said bearings, a series of standards on said support and provided with bearings, shafts mounted in said last mentioned bearings and said sleeves and slidably and drivingly connected to the latter, said sleeves being arranged to support sets of rolls, a separate bar mounted on said support inwardly of the standards mounted thereon and adjustable transversely to the feed of the material, a series of standards fixed to said separate bar and provided with bearings, sleeves mounted in the last mentioned bearings and arranged to support sets of rolls and slidable on and drivingly connected to said shafts, means for driving said shafts, and means for adjusting each of said bars.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, a standard fixed to said support, said support being provided with guides extending from that side thereof remote from said fixed standard substantially to said standard, a pair of standards in alinement with said fixed standard and mounted on said support for adjustment transversely to the feed of material along said guides and removal from the remote side of said support, upper and lower bearings supported in each of said standards, sleeves mounted in the bearings supported by said adjustable standards and provided with pairs of related elements for engagement with the material, shafts mounted in the bearings in said fixed standard and extending through and drivingly connected to said sleeves, and. means for driving said shafts.

CARL M. YODER. 

